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You can either get compiled JSON blocks and deliver the message yourself (compile), or have LithoBlocks compile and deliver the message via its Slack app (send). The choice determines whether you get built-in interactivity, modals, and webhook delivery or handle delivery and interactivity yourself.

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Compile

What it does: Compile takes your template and the data you provide (in the API request) and returns the JSON blocks for the Slack message. It does not post to Slack. You then send the compiled message from your own system or your own Slack connections. Button interactions and webhook delivery do not work out-of-the-box or off-the-shelf; they can be configured with your own Slack app (e.g. interactivity URL, request URL) if you need them. Where it’s available: The versioned Compile API (POST /v1/templates/compile). Compilation consumes credits and usage is logged per your organization.

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Send

What it does: Send uses the LithoBlocks Slack app to compile the template with your data and post the message to Slack. LithoBlocks owns the delivery and the Slack app connection. Where it’s available: The versioned send API (POST /v1/templates/send), send from the builder (testing), and send from the slash command flow. You get full functionality of the LithoBlocks platform and services: actions, interactivity, modals, message updates, and webhook delivery. No additional configuration is required besides connecting the LithoBlocks Slack app to your Slack organization.

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When to use which

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Further reading